NEW YORK—With sustainability as a core value from its inception, a new Corporate Social Responsibility Report (CSR) Report from Humanscale underscores the company’s commitment to achieving a net positive impact and lays out a corporate sustainability roadmap raising the bar for the manufacturing industry. The new CSR report reveals several areas of focus, including material transparency, responsible manufacturing and hand printing, and highlights Humanscale’s progress as it works toward its own ambitious goals. Continuing a decade-long trend of reduction, in the past year alone, the company reduced normalized energy by 10 percent and reduced greenhouse gases by 12 percent...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—USGBC and Informa Exhibitions announced that respected human rights lawyer and humanitarian Amal Clooney will deliver the opening keynote remarks at this year’s Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, taking place November 14 to 16. Clooney will speak at the Opening Plenary on Wednesday, November 14 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the LEED-certified McCormick Place Convention Center. Registration for Greenbuild is now open. “Green building is about providing equal access to safe, healthy and sustainable environments for everyone,” said Kate Hurst, SVP of Conferences and Events, USGBC. “It’s about understanding that every life matters and furthermore, that quality of...

POMPANO BEACH, FLA.—Serge Ferrari North America, a market leader in flexible composite material technology, introduces Soltis Proof Vivo, a printable awning fabric with a natural fiber woven appearance. This waterproof fabric is available in the United States exclusively through Trivantage. Soltis Proof Vivo is ideal for commercial and retail awnings and canopies, pergolas, umbrellas, and small tent structures. The Soltis line from Serge Ferrari includes a full range of solar protection products, from meshes to waterproof fabrics. A coated polyester, Soltis Proof Vivo is a technological advancement on the Stam 6002L awning fabric introduced in 2016. Utilizing a printable matt varnish, Soltis...

Every time an article comes out touting the “green” countertop options available on the market, it is woefully inaccurate. Often listing the same material multiple times in different formats, or completely misunderstanding the green claims of others, the lists just don’t stand up to reality. So here is a real list of the countertop options and the manufacturers whose true mission and goal is to create healthier surfaces, more durable surfaces, and divert waste from the oceans and landfills, creating something beautiful that you can feel good about. Why not have your surface tell a story of its own? And...

BALI, INDONESIA—Katamama has focused on sustainability issues and supported the traditions of its island home since inception. The hotel is built from 1.8 million bricks, each hand-pressed by local artisans and fired using only biomass from coconut shells—a time-consuming technique typically reserved for Bali’s sacred temples. The painstaking process both fulfilled the artistic vision of Indonesian architect Andra Matin and the company’s mission to rescue this diminishing handicraft. Locally produced textiles tinted with plant-based dyes and bamboo basketry featuring traditional patterns are also part of Katamama’s commitment to sustainability and Balinese culture. Potato Head Beach Club, located next to Katamama,...

PARIS—Due to the success of its pilot project, which was initially tested at various cultural, sporting and artistic events throughout France, AccorHotels’ innovative Flying Nest concept is now entering the commercialization stage in the B-to-B market. The Flying Nest uses converted marine containers designed with sustainability in mind. The Flying Nest is in line with AccorHotels’ innovative approach of constantly rethinking tomorrow’s hospitality in response to a strong trend, that of guests expecting to enjoy exclusive and intense experiences. AccorHotels’ twofold objective is to provide its customers with unique hospitality experiences during outstanding events and to meet accommodation needs where...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—This week, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) have launched the Wood Furniture Scorecard, a comprehensive assessment of wood sourcing policies for over 50 of the largest furniture retailers in North America. Published on a dedicated website and available through both organizations, the scorecard covers publicly available information on how companies source virgin wood. It also evaluates company use of recycled and reclaimed wood. Scorecard results include 7 Top Scorers: ABC Carpet & Home, Williams-Sonoma Group, IKEA, Crate & Barrel, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, City Furniture, and Target. Six companies earned Honorable Mentions...

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.—Soul Community Planet (SCP) announced the opening of its first SCP Hotel in Colorado Springs after a nine-month, $6 million renovation. The 98,000 square-foot, 176-room property, located at the base of the majestic Pikes Peak, is in its final stages of renovation. SCP Hotels represents a fresh holistic hospitality concept for both travelers and the surrounding community. Inside each SCP Hotel, guests will find opportunities to recharge their minds, refresh their bodies and re-center their souls, while connecting with fellow travelers and the community. SCP Hotels aims to help make the planet a better place through the extensive...

In 2011 and 2015 I wrote about a bed and breakfast and Days Inn utilizing shipping containers in their construction. I have also written about a shipping container used at a resort for hydroponic vegetable growing. I have since learned about the Flophouze Hotel that offers six shipping containers for nightly rentals. Each unit includes a living room, kitchen, bedroom with luxury linens, and a private bath. The nightly rate even includes access to electric vehicle charging stations. Reclaimed materials are used throughout; the counter tops are made from old bowling alley floors. Shipping container lodgings are very rare....

BUFFALO, N.Y.—Delaware North’s proprietary stewardship platform, GreenPath, helps ensure the company carefully manages its environmental impact and positively contributes to the communities it serves. In recent months, locations throughout Delaware North’s parks and resorts portfolio have taken on several high-profile, impactful and innovative initiatives in support of GreenPath. Through GreenPath, Delaware North sets strict guidelines for energy and water consumption, waste management and other standards at its 200-plus operating locations around world. Since its inception in the 1990s, GreenPath has won dozens of awards from the likes of NASA, the National Park Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the...